A London-wide crackdown on knife crime is underway by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service during the half-term week.

Police have begun a week-long operation to tackle the issue on the capital's roads, public transport and hotspot areas such as troubled estates.

In west London, so far in October at least six people have been stabbed including two high profile murders; Josh Hanson, 21, who was killed in RE bar in Eastcote on October 11, and most recently 17-year-old Usaama Ali of Acton who died from a single stab wound to the heart on October 16.

Safer neighbourhood officers and specialist Trident officers who deal with gang crime have started conducting high visibility patrols on places where people are believed to be carrying knives such as estates; road and transport officers are using knife wands to catch and deter people travelling with knives on public transport; and ANPR operations are being carried out to catch people involved in knife crime with access to a vehicle.

The operation will also see officers target known offenders with a visit to their home, reminding them they could face prison if they carry a knife.

During the week, officers will be working with Trading Standards enforcement and young people from the Met Police Cadets to identify retail stores that are selling knives to anyone under the age of 18.

Detective chief superintendent Kevin Southworth, currently heading up the Trident Gang Crime Command, said: "We will again be looking to reduce the number of knives in circulation, taking them out of the hands of those individuals intent on using them.

"We have a number of operations planned throughout the capital, including activity to target known offenders, focussed and intelligence-led stop and search and weapon sweeps in areas where intelligence suggests offenders are hiding knives in public areas to avoid being caught in possession of them.

"In support of our operational activity we are hosting a bespoke digital campaign via our social media channels, aimed at providing advice to those who want to know where to turn if they have concerns about knife crime."

This is the second week of action to fight knife crime this year following a week in July (17-24).

During the summer operation more than 900 knives were recovered and more than 270 arrests were made.

In the past, police on the streets of London have seized knives ranging from hunting knives and flick knives to kitchen knives found in any home.